INTERVIEW : The Ascendicate
My interview with "The Ascendicate" - Check this one out!
News
January 31, 2009
January 30, 2009
REVIEW : The Ascendicate - To Die As Kings
My review of "The Ascendicate's" debut album "To Die As Kings"
January 28, 2009
REVIEW : The Contact - Canvas Tears
A review for my vote for best new album of 2009: The Contact's "Canvas Tears"
REVIEW : Nailpoint - Falling to Pieces
A Review Of Nailpoint's "Falling To Pieces"
INTERVIEW : A Hope For Home
My interview with A Hope For Home - Check out their latest CD titled "The Everlasting Man"
REVIEW : Hopeless Passion - Everything You Ever Wanted
Band: Hopeless Passion
Album: Everything You Ever Wanted
Label: None
Reviewed by: Tyler Hess
Coming from what seems to be a musical hotbed lately in Fresno, CA, Hopeless Passion brings us what mostly amounts to a very rough cut of mostly pop-punk stylings, but with some twists that glean from hip hop and rock. This is a project that just screams “hey, we did this ourselves!” They are a two man show, with the percussion being done on the instrument that we call a computer, which leads to very simple beats and vocals that rarely (at least until the last four songs or so) go outside of a small, simple, basic pop-punk box.… Continued →
REVIEW : Harmony - Chapter II : Aftermath
Harmony is a metal band hailing from Sweden. This is a review of their latest CD, Chapter II: Aftermath.
January 27, 2009
REVIEW : twentyfour64 - Know Me
I’m really sorry I’m just writing this now and in such a hurry, but I just got out of P.E. and my heart is pumping really fast and I want to bust this out before lunch is over and I have to go back to Spanish class for another boring laser disc movie. Wait, this isn’t the mid to late 90’s and I’m not still in high school?
REVIEW : Yours for Mine - Dear Children
Here's my take on the exciting debut album by Yours for Mine. It's anything but status quo as far as genres go so read on to find out why. Come on, don't be afraid!
January 26, 2009
REVIEW : Julian Drive - My Coming Day
Julian Drive – My Coming Day
In a world where Baskin-Robbins has 31 flavors (and then some?), Julian Drive has found its perfect ice cream flavored musical niche. After all, vanilla is technically a flavor. In fact, it has a huge market appeal. There are tons of people out there with out any real higher sense of developed taste buds, but they still like ice cream. What I’m getting at here is that Julian Drive definitely has a broad market appeal and will probably find a good amount of success.… Continued →
REVIEW : Theocracy - Mirror Of Souls
Album: Mirror of Souls
Label: Ulterium Records
Reviewer: Stephen M
When Brandon asked me to review Theocracy I was sceptical, and for good reason too. Theocracy is a band in a genre I have yet to discover. Epic, melodic Power Metal with occasional progressive flourishes is what Theocracy is classified as. I have never really listened to any metal bands before, like Dragonforce, which I am told are similar, so this “metal” sound is new to me and in some ways redefines it for me. Normally what I call progressive metal music sounds like Becoming The Archetype.… Continued →
January 25, 2009
REVIEW : Fiction Family - Fiction Family
Artist: Fiction Family
Album: Fiction Family
Label: ATO Records/ Credential Recordings
Release Date: January 20, 2009
Reviewer: Eric Pettersson
Tracklist:
1. When She’s Near
2. Out of Order
3. Not Sure
4. Betrayal
5. Elements Combined
6. War in My Blood
7. Throw It Away
8. Closer than You Think
9. Please Don’t Call It Love
10. Mostly Prove Me Wrong
11. We Ride
12. Look for My Baby
Jon Foreman is a busy guy. His main band, Switchfoot, has been seeing significant mainstream rock success since they released “The Beautiful Letdown” in 2005.… Continued →
January 22, 2009
REVIEW : This Is Luke - There Is Hope
Band: This is Luke
Album: There is Hope
Label: None
Reviewed by: Tyler Hess
While listening to this album, I had to do one very important thing: Check myself before I wreck Myself. When approached about reviewing this 7 song EP, I was told that the guys had come up with a new worship album. Not only did this surprise me because I had some strange thought that they were a pop punk band (or something close to that), but it also baffled when I first heard the album.… Continued →
January 21, 2009
REVIEW : A Hope For Home - The Everlasting Man
Artist: A Hope For Home
Album: The Everlasting Man
Label: Strike First Records
Reviewer: Stephen M
01. The Covenant (2:11)
02. Iniquity: An Offering (3:53)
03. Affliction: The Witness, The Advocate (4:31)
04. Infidelity: Kingdom’s End (3:15)
05. The Exile (2:33)
06. Babylon: The Insatiable Thirst (6:08)
07. Absolution: Of Flight And Failure (6:28)
08. Masada: The Spiral Staircase (6:13)
09. Restoration: The Return From Exile (6:50)
10. Redemption: A Grief Observed (5:27)
11. The Thousand Years (1:18)
I had no idea what to expect with the newest CD from A Hope For Home entitled The Everlasting Man, but what I found surprised me.… Continued →
REVIEW : Andrew Hedlin - Downstairs
Artist: Andrew Hedlin
Album: Downstairs
Label: None (released independently)
Release Date: August 23, 2008
Reviewer: Eric Pettersson
Tracklist:
1. What’s a Song?
2. Comin’ Back
3. Subway
4. Marigold Street
5. Count on Me
6. Anchor Me
7. Winter Vacation
8. 40,000 Brothers
9. Sunlight
Hailing from Manitoba, Canada, singer-songwriter Andrew Hedlin seems to be a man of wide experiences. Acoustic songs like “Subway” and “Marigold Street” sound like the life of any of us, talking with old friends and dealing with stress, but “Comin’ Back” picks up the pace with a clean electric guitar and catchy chorus about traveling all over the world.… Continued →
REVIEW : Eleventyseven - Galactic Conquest
Band: Eleventyseven
Album: Galactic Conquest
Label: Sony BMG/Flicker Records
Reviewed by: Tyler Hess
If I have at any time over the past four months of writing reviews gained any scene points, street cred. or Dundee awards for anything I’ve written, I’m fully prepared for the chance that I’m going to get them all taken away right now.
Jumping on the bandwagon before it was way overcrowded, Eleventyseven busted out with their sophomore release by adding quite a bit of the now all too familiar electronica to their pop-punk act in quite a diversion, musically, from their first release “and the land of the fake believe”.… Continued →
REVIEW : House of Heroes - The End Is Not the End
Artist: House of Heroes
Album: The End Is Not the End
Label: Gotee
Release Date: September 23, 2008
Review by: Michael Mayer III
Tracklisting:
- Intro
- If
- Lose Control
- Leave You Now
- Dangerous
- In the Valley of the Dying Sun
- Code Name: Raven
- By Your Side
- Journey Into Space (Part One)
- Sooner or Later
- Baby’s a Red
- Drown
- Faces
- Voices
- Field of Daggers
INTERVIEW : And Then There Were None
Scott, IVM: Give me a rundown of who’s-who in the band.
Sean plays guitar and loves backing up our trailer. Matt M plays synth and is very talented at acquiring free food. Nick plays guitar and is 17 years old. Ryan plays drums and can harmonize any melody. I sing and I am obsessed with programming music.
What’s the history of the band. How did everybody meet.
Sean and I met in elementary school through ccd at our church. We started making music in middle school solely because we thought it would be cool to start a band.… Continued →
January 20, 2009
REVIEW : The Glorious Unseen - Cries Of The Broken
Artist: The Glorious Unseen
Album: Cries of the Broken
Label: Tooth and Nail/Bec Recordings
Reviewer: Stephen M
My first time hearing about The Glorious Unseen was about eight months ago when I was doing my daily check of new music right here on IVM. From the first time I heard Ben’s voice I knew I was going to like them a lot.
I have been one of those kinds of guys who has listened to Hardcore/Metal music his whole life and have never been a big fan of worship music.… Continued →
REVIEW : Thrice - The Alchemy Index Vol. 3 & 4
Band: Thrice
Album: The Alchemy Index Vol. 3 & 4
Label: Vagrant Records
Reviewed by: Luke J
Fire, water, air, and earth; the elements of our planet, created by an amazingly unique God. I can think of nothing better to consume a bands time with. Thrice has done just that, they have created two astounding sets of music history. In late 2007 The Alchemy Index 1 & 2: Fire & Water came out and I immediately thought “that will definitely be in my top ten for the year!” … Continued →
REVIEW : Fireflight - Unbreakable
Band: Fireflight
Album: Unbreakable
Label: Sony BMG/Flicker
Review by: Tyler Hess
Having seen their show for the third time a couple days ago, it came to my attention that IVM had yet to take a closer look at the band’s second full length release. The first thing that I’d like to point out is that I hadn’t listened to the album in probably two or three months, yet on the morning of the show I mysteriously woke up and remembered the words to several of their songs, so if nothing else, these songs are certainly memorable, which is something I can’t say for probably half the albums I’ve reviewed on here.… Continued →
INTERVIEW : The Glorious Unseen
Stephen, IVM: Interview with Ben from The Glorious Unseen
Hey Ben, can you give me a short introduction from everyone in the band?
RYAN STUBBS IS OUR LEAD GUITARIST, HE USED TO PLAY IN SOME HARDCORE BANDS IN OHIO. I MET HIM WHEN HE MOVED TO NASHVILLE TO GO TO BELMONT. JON TODRYK PLAYS DRUMS, I MET HIM AT A PARTY IN NASHVILLE SHORTLY AFTER HE MOVED HERE. I TOLD HIM I WOULD INTRODUCE HIM TO A GIRL IF HE WOULD MAKE ME A SANDWICH. JOW BURGER PLAYS BASS, HE ALSO PLAYS IN A HARDCORE BAND CALLED MANKIND.… Continued →
January 19, 2009
REVIEW : Writer - Blood Drops
Artist: Writer
Album: Blood Drops
Label: None (released independently)
Release Date: August 29, 2008
Reviewer: Eric Pettersson
Tracklist:
1. Matthew
2. Anymore
3. Don’t Wake the Sun
4. Try and Stop Me
5. Start a War
6. Where I Was
7. Blood Drops
I know I said this for their 7” a few months ago, but when you see an album is mixed and mastered by Jason Martin of Starflyer 59, you know to expect something good. It seems that everything this man touches turns to gold.… Continued →
REVIEW : Concert Review: Fireflight, Abandon, and Seven Layer Soul
Concert Review: Fireflight, Abandon, Seven Layer Soul
Review by: Tyler Hess
For more pictures, go here.
Upon learning that my fiancé had scored us free tickets to this show, I was pretty stoked. Not because I am the biggest fan in the world, or even that I originally thought it was with Abandon Kansas, but because I love going to shows and I love not paying for stuff when I don’t have to. What I wasn’t completely stoked about was another concert at a church.… Continued →
INTERVIEW : The Record Kid
Give me a who’s-who of the band.
My name is Jeff and I’m the lead singer, Tucker is lead guitar and vocals, Joe plays guitar, Todd is keys and vocals, Kyle is drums, and we are operating with a fill in bassist at the moment… we have a good idea as to who will fill the spot permanently but it isn’t official yet!
What’s the back-story of the band. How did everybody meet.
We were all friends first. We know each other from playing in local bands.… Continued →
January 18, 2009
INTERVIEW : A Current Affair
Scott, IVM: Introductions. Give me a who’s-who of the band.
Jordan is our vocalist and he plays keys. Josh and James play guitar. Nick plays drums, he’s the new guy. I’m Joey and I play bass.
What’s the back-story of the band. How did everybody meet. General bio type of stuff.
This is a long one here haha. I went to high school with Josh, and I joined the band with him and a couple other guys. After high school we needed a guitar player and I knew James from junior high and we had played with his band a couple times.… Continued →
January 17, 2009
REVIEW : Farewell Flight - Sound. Color. Motion.
Artist: Farewell Flight
Album: Sound. Color. Motion.
Label: Released Independently (but paid for by Mono Vs Stereo before they “folded”)
Release Date: August 19, 2008
Reviewer: Eric Pettersson
Tracklist:
1. Lullabye for Insomniacs
2. Widower
3. Over
4. Indianapolis
5. Phones
6. Sailors Mouth
7. Begin Again
8. America
9. Cruel
10. The Usual Vernacular
11. Slow
A soft, clear tenor wades over rolling acoustic guitars as “Lullabye for Insomniacs” begins. As the tempo picks up, so do the complexity of the instrumentation and the details of the lyrics, which relate the depression and bleakness found in looking to alcohol as a way to cope with relationship problems and loneliness.… Continued →
REVIEW : Becoming The Archetype - Dichotomy
Band: Becoming the Archetype
Album: Dichotomy
Label: Solid State Records
Review by: Stephen M
To begin, I would like to note that I do not claim to be an objective, professional music critic or anything of that sort. I am one who enjoys listening to music. Any reviews by me are merely my opinion on an album and are not intended to be taken as the product of a well-educated aficionado. I apologize for any out-of-hand generalizations or music prejudices. Any criticism and comments are welcome (and much needed).… Continued →
REVIEW : Army Of Me - Citizen
Artist: Army Of Me
Album: Citizen
Label: Doghouse America
Release Date: April 7, 2007
Reviewer: Scott L
Tracklist:
1. Perfect
2. Going Through Changes
3. Rise
4. Meet You At The Mouth
5. Still Believe In You
6. Thinking It Over
7. Better Run
8. How Long
9. Walking On
10. 2 Into 1
11. Saved Your Life
12. Back To Business
I realize that this review is a little late out of the gate… but you gotta know about these guys. You just gotta. Right from the get-go you know that this Washington, D.C.… Continued →
January 16, 2009
REVIEW : Before Their Eyes - The Dawn of My Death
Artist: Before Their Eyes
Album: The Dawn of My Death
Label: Rise Records
Release Date: October 28, 2008
Reviewer: Scott L
Tracklist:
1. Life Was All A Dream
2. Because 7 Ate 9
3. The Beast Within
4. So In Love
5. The Things We Stood Against
6. Dawn Of My Death
7. The Way We Operate
8. Their Throats Are Open Graves
9. New Kids In Town
10. The Me I Used To Be
This was an album that I was looking forward to. I had stumbled across Before Their Eyes’ self-titled debut online but while it was good enough to draw me back periodically to listen to samples, it just didn’t have what was needed for me to actually throw down some cash for it.… Continued →